Councillors back plan to see strong investment in new playpark

Wednesday's meeting of Cowdenbeath Area Committee heard that a consultation exercise run by the Friends of Lochore Meadows Group found strong opinion that the park would greatly benefit from investment which could see it have specialised equipment.

Community manager Susan Roxburgh said: "The response to the consultation included a clear preference among those responding for increased and good quality inclusive play equipment at Lochore Meadows Country Park.

"This chimed with an earlier proposal by two senior members of the FoLM group that more play provision be made for people with physical and or learning disabilities.

"The issue was further discussed at the most recent meeting of the group and there was collective endorsement of a proposal from the office-bearers that £25,000 of the capital fund be allocated towards the installation of inclusive play equipment."

Ms Roxburgh added: "Should this be supported by Cowdenbeath Area Committee, a Parks Development Officer has been briefed and is on stand-by to provide technical support to progress the design, development and installation of the equipment."

Councillor Darren Watt felt that the park would really benefit from this investment: "The Meedies has made such impressive progress over the past few years and this magnificent development at it would make it a really special facility.

"It has the Drivedeck equipment already and this brand new inclusive playpark would complete it and attract even more families to it."

Councillor Ally Bain asked it the the £250,000 package would be match funded and Ms Roxburgh said: "The Friends of Lochore Meadows group have set up a sub group to progress the funding avenue."

The committee agreed that the pieces are now in place for a successful partnership between council and local communities to further develop the facilities and experiences available at Lochore Meadows and the provision inclusive play equipment was an important step in the process.